Pipe wrench



Sept. 1, 1925. l 1,552,091

W. o. THEWES ,l v

PIPE WRENCH Filed April l23 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sepm, 1925. 1,552,091v

, W. O. THEWES PIPE WRENCH Filed April 23 1924 2 SheetS-Shet 2 INVENTOR www 9, Q LW,

v BY

Patented Sept. 1, 1925.

UNITED sraxl'lgs PArENroFFlcE.

WILLIAM 0. THEWES, F NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T THE RIDGE TOQL COMPANY, OF NORIH RIDGEVILLE'OHIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO. I y

PIPE WRENCH.

A Application led April -23, 1924. Serial No. 708,417.

To all whomy t may concern.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM 0- 'IHnwns,4

a citizen of the United States, residing at North Ridgeville, in the county of Lorain 6 and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Pipe llf'l'eiich, of which the following is a speclfication.

This invention relates to wrenches and 10 more particularly to wrenches of the type known as pipe wrenches.

An object of my invention is to provide a wrench which can be adjusted and operated by the same hand of a user, while held in either a normal or extended position.'

Another object of my inventionis to provide acasing through whicha threaded'jawcarrying shank can be slidably adjusted -with a minimum resistance, the casing exerting frictional pressure against the shank to normally maintain it stationary 'when not being adjusted. l'

Another object of my invention resides 'in providing a removable clip which can be quickly assembled with or removed from a threaded jaw carrying shankto retain the nut thereupon or to permit quick assembly or removal of the nut from the shank.

Another object of my invention is to provide jaw teeth for a wrench which are found to withstand a maximum amount of usageand strain. l v

Another object of my invention is to provide a scale on one of the wrench Shanks so that the, user can 'determine the distance between the jaws by the relation ofA the nut with such shank, in any position of operative adjustment.

-These and other objects, and the invention 40 itself will be morereadily understood from the following specification.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating embodiments of my invention- Fig. 1 isa side elevation ofva straight wrench embodying my invention;

`Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectionalv view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing the casing associated with the shank; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the slidable shank removed from the wrench with the casing associated therewith;

of reference 15 represents a handle shank 65 vformed preferably of metal. One end of the shank vis provided with straight sides adapted to be gripped by the operator, vand the other end of the shank has a jaw fixed thereto.` A'slot16 is provided in the handle portion of the shank, so that the wrench can be hung up while not in use. A slot 18 .is provided transversely and centrally in the end of the vjaw end 17 of the handle shank and is adapted to: receive a tongue 19 projecting fromthe jaw 20. The tongue of the jaw is secured in the slot by a pin 21. The jaw end of the shank extends rearwardly at an angle and the jaw also assumes asimilar angle. l f

A housing 22 is fixed to the Vhandle-shank adjacent the jaw 20 and is preferably formed integrally with the shank. In Figs. 1 to 4, the housing 22 extends from the rear end of the straight shank, adjacent the xed jaw 20, while in Figs. 6 and 7 the housing is .formed intermediate the ends of an angular shank adjacent the fixed jaw. -A 'slot 23 extends through the housings in both in' stances, to receive the adjustable jaw carrying shank 29. This slot is rectangular in outline and the wall within the housing 22, forminglthe rear 'side of the slot, tapers outj wardly from the bottom of the wrench. A recess 24 extends inwardly aroundthe slot 95 intermediate its ends,I and a pocket-25 extends into the housing from the rear portion of the slot. The portion of the slot 23 above the recess is larger in outline than the portion of the slot below the recess.

The casing 26 is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent to a form similar to,but smaller than the slot in the upper portion of the housing 22 and lar er than the lower portion of the slot. T ,s. casing is inserted through the upper porfrom opposite casing, being of a width less than that of the slot, and of a length such that they ex tend to the ends Aof the slot when the casing is assembled in' thekrecess 24. The sides of the casing 26 normally extend toward each other, at their separated ends, and when the sliding shank 29 extends therethrough they are expanded .so that they will engage the '4 preventing removal 'trally within' shoulders formed by the recess 24, thereby i of the casing from the,

slot.' The casing is of less length than the recess, and a coilspring 27 is seated 1n the pocket and bears against the rear wall of the casing, normally maintaining it cen- The tongues 28 the' recess.

- bearing agamst the wallv forming the front of the slot prevent used as a'hammen a limited casing from entering the front portionof the recess, so that the casing4 will not become -distorted when the wrench housing is The recess 24 is longer than the casing, so that the casing will have movement therein. The lcasing is inserted in the slot in the housing so that the tongues 28 will lie against the front wall forming the slot in the housing. The rear end ofthe casing does `not extend to the rear of the adjacent recess and the coil spring 27 bears against this portion of the casing. The ends of the casing are similar so that the casing can'be reversed end for shank,

. end -'for assembly Within the recess, f v

A slidable rectangular shank 29 extends through the slot in the housing and is provided at one end with a hook jaw 30, which extends forwardly so that it will cooperate with the jaw fixed to the handle shank.. The front and rear walls of the` shank are formed with curved threads 8l, upon which a round nut 32 'is rotatably mounted. The shank 29 is slidably mounted in the casing 26,- and the free ends of the sides of the casing will normally exert friction against the due to their resiliency, so that the shank willl be maintained against lsliding movement therethrough unless moved by the operator. The forward threaded portion of the shank bears against the front portion of the casin and the tongues extending therefrom, fw ile the rear-threaded portion of the slidable shank is spaced from the inner rear wall of the casing. The spring 27 bearing against the rear wall of the casing will normally tend to'maintain the casingand the 'j aw end of the slidable shankin their forward position toward the jaw on the handle shank. .The tapered slot `23 through the housing will permit the shank to be tilted back or forth, and as the casing is of smaller'size than the recess, it will front wall of thel flanged end of the the front portion of the distance between gages with xhousing.

The sides of the endv of the shank 29 are I therefore be seen that the casing is tiltable44 within the recess 24 1n which it is se'ated and that it provides the sole bearingfor the slidable shank.

The lower end .of the housing terminates in an outwardly extending flange 37,prefer ably of an area such that it extends beyond the nut 32 Awhich-engages -thereagainst. The end face of the flange is curved convexly, providing a bearing for the nut on two sides of the housing in any position in which the shank is tilted. The nut islfreely rotatable on the end of,the threaded shank which extends through the slot, and is spun or rotated into and from lengagement with the housing to maintain the jaws in spaced relation, or to permit the slidable shank to be moved to space the jaws the desired distance apart. The nut will rock against the curved flanged end 37 of the housing and maintain the -j aws'in spaced relation whenthe vshank is tilted either forward or rearward.

In order t0 definitely indicate to the opwhen in engagement with the housing, will.

-determineexactly the distance between the jaws. Thus the operator can observe the the-jaws when in any operative relation, and the nut can be set at a position on the thereon, prior-to adjustment of the slidable shank, so that the jaws will be' the desired distance apart when the slidable shank is moved to a position 'so that the set nut enthe end of the housing. Thus if it is 'desired t0 space the jaws `for two inch pipe, the nut is rotated upon the shank until lts upper lend is'parallel with the indication 2 on they shank, and the slidable'shank is then moved to operative position so that the nut will engage provided with groovesV 41 .Figure 5 which extend from between the two end threads on sides of thel sh preferably lformedof wire, is adapted to extend between suc' threads with its ends ,43 seated within the flanged endofA the shank relative to the scale the 'grooves 41. 'The legs 4 ofthe cli arel of suliicient resiliency and-l are space apart so that when sprung over the 'sides of the shank, in position 1n the grooves, they will retain the clip upon the:

shank. The clip can be readily assembled with or removed `fromthe shank when desired. The nut can be rotated upon. or from the end of the shank when the clipis rehv moved, and when assembled, the clip will prevent the nut -from rotating olf of the end of. the shank.

It will be observed that the line ofthe pointsof the jaw teeth are in angular rela# tion when the jaws are in. normal position.- Wrench teeth, and particularly pipe wrench teeth are subjected to Severe strain and hard usage. They operate upon hard metal, generally grip a smooth surface, and are gen'- erally placed under severe strain .before the object held therebetween is satisfactorily positional. When in operation the teeth of the sliding jaw` are subject to a pulling -maximum strain vand usage.

strain, and IV have. provided teeth therefor' which are of a construction to withstand In Fig. 9 I have illustrated the teeth of the stationary l j aw, which'teeth 44 are formed withstraight faces extending at the same angle from the 'base to provide the joint. In VFig/8 I have illustrated the teeth of the slidable jaw which teeth 45'are constructed/so that the joints will withstand severe usage and strain; The rear faces 46' of the teeth 45 extend to arr-angle of substantially lI degrees from a line perpendicular to the base,

iwhile the front face of suchteeth extend at two angles from such line. Such front faces extend from the base at an angle of 50 degrees and vat their outer ends extend at an angle of 7 O-degree's, which last mentioned face portions form the engaging edge with the rear faces.'4 The outline o such teeth are in the form of a tra-pezium. In. 'forming the teeth in.4 such manner I add .body and strength to the teeth immediately at 'the' front of the edges of the teeth which engage the work, thereby reinforcingl the edges and increasing thelr life. The faces of the teeth 45. can be formed at diff ferent angles and shape than those de scribed as long as the material forming the tooth body extends forwardly adjacent the engaging edge of the teeth to .reinforce the same.

ed without departing from the spirit of my invention and-the scope of the appended claims.' l

What I claim is v 1. A wrench comprising al handle shank having a jaw fixed at one end thereof, a

tain it stationary, and means for maintain- Various'chanlges can be made in the constructionl descri `ing saidr sliding "in position to sef i cure said jaws in desired. space relation for operation.

.2. .A wrench comprising a handle shank having an integral portion thereof formed as a housing, said housing having a slot therethrough, a j aw fixed to the end of said..

handle shank adjacent to said housing, a resilientv casing mounted within the slot in said housing, a threaded -shank slidable through said casing and the slotin said housing, said v casing frictionally engaging saidshank 4tonormally maintain it stationary relative thereto, a jaw llixe'd to one end of said slidable .shank adapted. to cooperate/with said jaw fixed to said handle shank,

and a nut freely rotatable'on the end' of the threaded shan extending throughl said yhousing adapted to engage with sald housing to maintain. said jaws in desired spaced relation while in` operation.

3. A. wrench comprising a handle shank having an integral portion providing a housing, said `housing having aslot vtherethnough and a convexly curved .end face, a 'jaw ixed toone. end of said handle shank adj acent""s aid housing, a resilient` casing 4removably mounted with: in: the slot in said` Ihousing, a threaded shank slidable through the 'slot inf said housing and said casing, said casing` normally creating pressure against said shank to v'maintain it stationarytherewith, a jaw carried by Asaid slidable shank adapted to cooperate with saidalixed jaw, a' spring within' said housing engaging said casing to tilt thejaw-carrying end of said slidable sha-nk toward said fixed4 jaw," and a nut freely rotatable on said threaded shank adapted to engage the curved end face o-f said casing through which said shank extends to main- Awhile in operation. 4. A wrench having an integral portion providing a i tain said jaws inidesire'd spaced -relation housing, said housing having a slot therethrough, a' jaw fixed to one' end of said handle shank adjacent `said housing, a resilient casing removably mounted within the slot in said housing, a threaded shank slidable through the slot in said housing and said casing, said shank expanding said casing to prevent its removal from said housing, said casingt'normally creating vpressure against said shank to maintain it stationary therewith, a jaw carried4 by said slidable shank adapted to cooperate with said fixed jaw, and means to secure relation.

5; A wrench comprising a'handle shank having a jaw fixed at one end thereof, alf

housing fixed to said shank adjacent said jaw, -said housing` having a slot therethrough and a recess extending inwardly around aportion of said slot, a resilient casin removably mounted within the recess in sald housing, a threaded shank4 slidable thrgugh said casing and the slot in said housing, said shank expanding said casing within said reoess to prevent its removal, a jaw fixed to the end of said slidable shank adapted to cooperate with the fixed ja-w, saidl-resilient-casing normally exerting pressure against saidjshank to maintain it stationary therewith, and means for securing said slidable shank to maintain said jaws in desired spaced relation for operation. Y

6, A wrench comprising a handle shank having a jaw fixed at one end thereof, a housingl fixed tosaid s'hank adjacent said jaw having a slot therethrough, a' resilient casing carried within the slot in said housing intermediate the ends thereof, tongues extending from said of the slot in said housing adjacent the jaw'v xed to the handle shank and extending to the ends thereof, a shank havingv two opposite threaded sides extending through said casing and the slot in said housing and -slidably mounted therein, said casing frictionally engaging said shank to normally maintain itstationary,said tongues being Y- arranged intermediate the housingand one i said threaded shank in its of the threaded sides of said slidable shank toprevent contact therebetween, a jaw carried by said slidable shank adapted to cooperate with the jaw on said handle shank, and means to secure said slidable shank to maintain said jaws in spaced relation while in operation.

, 7. A wrench comprising a handle shank having a jaw fixed at one end thereof, a housing fixed to said shank adjacent said jaw havin 'a slot extending therethrough, a threade shank extending through the slot in said housing, said .shank bein mounted to' slide through said housing an to'be tilted therein, a 'aw carried by said threaded shank adapte to cooperate with the jaw on said handle shank, a casing retained within said slot through which said threaded shank is frictionally held to norm'ally`prevent 4sliding movement thereof, said casing being arranged to tilt with said shank and to prevent contact of the teeth of said shank with said housing, -a spring vwithin saidL housing bearing against sai to normally maintain the jaw end of forward position toward the jaw of said handle shank, and

casing casing along the side means to secure said slidable shank with said casing to maintain said jaws in desired spaced relation for operation.

' 8.1 In a wrench, a handle shank havinga jaw fixed at one end thereof, a housing having a slot extending therethrough fixed to said handle shank threaded shank extending through the slot in said housin fixed to said t readedshank adapted to cooperate with the jaw on said handle shank, a nut rotatable on the portion of said threaded shank extending through the slot in said housing, and a self-retaining clip removably attached to said shank intermediate two of the threads thereon to prevent removal of said nutv from the .end of said shank'. l y l 9, In a wrench, a handle shank having a jaw fixed at one end thereof, a housing having a. slot extending therethrough fixed to said handle ,shank adjacent said jaw, `a threaded shank extending through the slot `fixed operate with the jaw on said handle shank,

a nut rotatable on the portion of sald adjacent said jaw, a I' vthreaded shank extending through the slot in said housing, said shank having a .slot in each side thereof extending from between a pair of threads, and a` removable resilient clip extending between said pair of threads and having its ends engaging within the grooves in the sides of said shank,

. said clip when attached preventing the removal of said nut from said shank.

l0. In a wrench, a handle shank having a jaw iixed'at one end thereof, ahousing havin a slot extending therethrough fixed to sai handle shank adjustable shank extending through the slot in said housing and s lidable therein, said adjustable shank having a groove extending partially around the lower extremity thereof, a jaw fixed to said adjustable shank adapted to cooperate with .the jaw on said adjacent said jaw, an

handle shank, means carried by said 'adjustable shank for adjusting the'jaw .carried vthereby with respect to. the jaw on the handle shank, and a substantially U-shaped resilient clip adapted to be removably seated in the grooves of said adjustable shank. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 21st day of-April, 1924.

Y WILLIAM O. THEWES. 

